Literature Circles

Last week, our class finally finished reading Charlotte's Web. So on that note, it's time to begin Literature Circles. I have placed students into 4 different groups based on their reading levels. I will pass out books tomorrow(Thursday) along with each job. They will have 1 week to read their book and complete their assignment: Discussion Director, Summarizer, Word Watcher, Illustrator, Passage Picker, or Connector. Your child may need a little support in getting started. A few jobs were fairly simple for them while others needed more scaffolding. I will send home the rubric again that I passed out at open house. If you still have a copy then you can send the extra one back or keep as a reference for your child. The books will be fairly simple this first go around to get the students and parents familiar with each job. Also, since the landform project is due on October 2, I didn't want to overwhelm the kids with too much homework. Next Thursday, students will present their job to their group and the class in order to learn the process of the Lit Circles. I will then pass out new books and assign a new job. This will happen every Thursday. Please email me if you have any questions.

Since we finished Charlotte's Web, our class will watch the movie this Friday. It's the older cartoon version and rated G. If you have any popcorn around the house, feel free to send some with your child this Friday.

Another reminder that book orders are due Friday as well. So far I have only received the order from 1 student. Please submit you order form if you'd like to purchase books.

I'll see you all very soon during conferences. If you have not received a conference time, please let me know. I sent the reminder paper home yesterday (it was yellow). If you have more than 1 child at the school, then you probably just received 1 paper with the siblings names listed.

Book Orders Due Friday, Sept. 28

Hello all! If you are interested in ordering from the October Scholastic Book Catalog, please turn in your form, along with the payment, by this Friday.
Mrs. Smith has been kind enough to volunteer for this job and will take care of the order for our class. Thanks Lisa! If you would like to contribute to the classroom library, I would love to get book sets of 6, since we will begin Lit. groups this week. Here are a few Lucky Book packs:

Geronimo Stilton...Thief (6 book pack) $19.95
Horrible Harry...Revenge (6 book pack) $4.95
Ivy & Bean...Ghost (6 book pack) $9.95
Kids of the Polk...Contest (6 book pack) $9.95

Molly's Pilgrim (1 book) $0.95 (It would be great to have a set of 6)
Any of the Magic Tree House books are good too.

Thanks again for supporting your children with books. This group loves to read any chance they get. We also began book buddies with Mrs. Varni's kinder class last week. They have been looking forward to being a BIG buddy this year.

HOMEWORK & SCHOOL NOTES

Tomorrow, I will send home the new weekly homework packet. Please be sure that your child has his/her name on ALL pages of the packet. I have received several papers without names and sometimes they come unstapled. The monthly reading log will be due this Friday as well. I will send home the October log next Monday (I can't believe October is right around the corner). Keep an eye out this week for yet another field trip form to the Santa Cruz History Museum. If you would like to be a driver and have not attended a field trip yet this year, please let me know so I can get you a chaperone form. I'd like everyone to have an opportunity to come along.

See you tomorrow!

Nisene Update

Hello parents! The forecast calls for showers tomorrow, but we all know that the weather is always changing. I spoke to the docent from Nisene and he said if there is a little drizzle, we should be fine. In the forest, the trail shouldn't be too muddy and the trees do provide some shelter. He will give me a call in the morning if it is too wet, otherwise we'll plan on going. You may want to bring or wear a rain jacket, just in case. The tour is from 10:30-12:30. There will be 2 docents available for our hike so I'll split the class in half. After the hike, we'll eat lunch at the picnic tables by the creek. He also mentioned that the kids do not need to bring backpacks along. I can bring a plastic box to store the lunches in. So, please make sure your child's lunch bag is clearly marked with his/her name.
Let's hope the weather cooperates with our trip!

Homework

Hello parents! A reminder to students that weekly packets are sent home on Monday and due on Friday. I had several students forget to turn them in on Friday. Also, the golden reading logs will be due at the end of the month, so be sure to have them filled out and ready to turn in. Thanks for you support!

Santa Cruz County Fair

I hope everyone enjoyed the beautiful day at the County Fair! A big thanks to all the parents who were able to come along and drive. The students seemed to have a great time and were excited to finally meet their penpals. A reminder that the field trip to Nisene Marks next week has been changed from Friday, September 21 to *Thursday, September 20. We will eat lunch at the park so please be sure to pack a sack lunch.

Also, we are in the midst of finishing Charlotte's Web next week. Once we are done, I will send home books for Literature Circles. I'll keep you posted.

Have a restful weekend!

Wish List

Hello! Here is my wish list as requested:

bottled water (always great to have in the classroom)
pencils (sharpened if possible)
handiwipes
project board (students call them an "office") They have some at staples by Elmers. 1 board can be cut into 2 smaller boards.


A big thanks to all of you who have donated supplies and/or your time in the classroom. You have been terrific!

Hello everyone! I'd like to thank all of the parents who attended back to school night last week. I felt that it went pretty smooth and hopefully your questions were answered. You can always email me at athena_giovannis@pvusd.net if you have any further questions. Also, I appreciate all who were able to sign up to voluteer in the classroom.

Here are some upcoming events I'd like to tell you about:
The field trip to the county fair is coming up soon. Be sure that you send in your child's permission slip if you haven't done so. In addition, I have 6 parents who will be driving, so we are all set. I forgot to mention at back to school night that we will begin penpals this week with another 3rd grade class in the district. The kids are excited and will have the opportunity to meet up with their new "friend" at the fair.

We are also scheduled for another field trip to Nisene Marks on Friday, September 21. I just send home permission slips today and will be looking for more drivers. If you are interested, please let me know so I can give you the chaperone agreement form.

Last but not least, the 3rd grade homework packets will be sent out next Monday. The format is a bit different than what you have seen the past few weeks in my class, but will remain the same throughout the year.

I'd also like to give a big thank you to everyone who has donated supplies and/or money to the classroom fund. Your support is greatly appreciated!